The Chevy Volt has been a hype machine for GM since it was debuted at the North American International Auto Show in 2007. Still, the real point of the Volt is not the vehicle itself, but the E-Flex drive powering the Volt.
In the future, E-Flex could power many other vehicles across the globe in much the same way that it powers the Chevy Volt, and the Saturn Flextreme Concept is one such iteration.
Designed to achieve up to 34 miles of all-electric range, the Saturn Flextreme is currently fashioned as a 1.3L turbo-diesel plug-in hybrid. Of course, the E-Flex is best described as a range extended vehicle, rather than a plug-in hybrid.
Just like the Chevy Volt, the Saturn Flextreme will use a lithium-ion battery pack to power an electric motor that moves the Flextreme. After 34 miles of electric drive, the diesel engine can kick in and generate more electricity for the lithium battery to provide 100s of miles of extra range.
But that all depends on the success of the Chevy Volt, and particularly, the E Flex drive.
Today, the Saturn Flextreme Concept is really about design, especially the design collaboration between the Saturn and Opel brands. In truth, even if E Flex is perfected, the world might never see either the Saturn Flextreme nor the Opel Flextreme. Instead, GM might develop cars inspired by the Flextreme Concept.
Nonetheless, the Flextreme offers some great design cues for the future of GM automobiles, such as more sculpted surface molding, "clear style elements such as narrow, boomerang-shaped lights and a sloping feature line in the side graphics". Additionally, FlexDoor and FlexLoad systems provide unique utility by providing greater access into the vehicle. And, unique to the Flextreme, Segway personal transporters can be stored and charged in the rear cargo area.
Ultimately, the Flextreme is about design more than anything else, but I think the Flextreme demonstrates that GM is ready for the future. Then again, if the E Flex drive isn't developed, GM might not have a future.
